Keeping weekday mornings hilarious is just one thing Hoda Kotb, who co-hosts the wine-enriched fourth hour of Today with Kathie Lee Gifford, loves about life right now. Kotb’s third book, Where We Belong, filled with inspirational stories of exceptional people who found their true calling, just hit bookstores. Read on as she chats about her book, her approach to social media and the hilarious thing she does with Windex.

In Where We Belong, we meet all these people going through some sort of journey. Why did that resonate with you?

I like the fact that, in our book, we found everyday people who conquered the world. One of the reasons people succeed is that they don’t ever quit. That’s part of the secret sauce. They don’t stop. I love finding people like that who can do things against every odd.

Was there one story that stuck out the most?

I like them all for different reasons, but I really liked the couple without kids who were in their 50s, loving life, skiing in Aspen and drinking wine. One day the husband went to an orphanage in Haiti and met some kids and ended up saying to his wife, ‘l know this is crazy but can we adopt some kids’ and they ended up adopting three. There is something so interesting about learning about a couple who had no worries, no concerns and money that would last them for the rest of their life. But they realized they were missing something. Sometimes it’s hard in life to see what you don’t have. Then when you find it you go ‘oh that was it.’

Why does the idea of ‘where we belong’ matter so much?

Most of us go through life not finding our sweet spot or we’re not sure where we’re supposed to be in life. Then something changes. We’ve all felt it at different times. You feel totally at home. Like there’s a warm hand on your heart. Like you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. It happens periodically. Then you grow and change and you keep evolving. I think the lucky ones are those who find that spot and get to live that life. It may not be the life of riches. It’s that you’re home and happy.

One thing I’ve noticed about your social media is that you have such a warm approach when you post.

If someone decides to clicks on my social media page, I want them to feel better. I like to find a cool quote that made me feel good or a picture that’s inspiring or personal. I don’t like to talk about what I’m eating or where I’m going. I like to post things that will make you feel better.

What are some things people don’t know about you?

I’m an outgoing person but I also like being by myself. I would have a perfectly fine weekend if I was alone with my cute dog watching movies. I can have a perfectly great weekend like that. Also, I’d rather stay in any night than go out and I love to go to bed early, whether I’m working the morning shift or not.

And you love sweets, I’ve read?

Yes. A week ago I went on this no-sweets diet with Joy Bauer, our Today nutritionist. I’m miserable when I don’t eat sweets, but I can’t eat a bite of dessert and feel satisfied. I have to toss desserts if they’re sitting around. Let me tell you: If something is reachable and just resting on garbage but not touching it, I’ll go in. If this happens to you, too, one thing that works: You can spray it with Windex.

That Windex comment makes you so relatable. I feel like I’m talking to the sister I don’t happen to have.

I actually feel more like someone who watches TV than someone who is on it. My personality is much more like that. Whenever someone asks me to take a picture, I always say yes. I know what it feels like. You walk up to someone and they’re busy and it’s terrible. I feel like the person approaching as opposed to being the one being approached.

Switching to the show, how do you keep it fresh?

I think it’s Kathie Lee. She’s somebody that the more you know the more you like. She is always evolving and growing. She has the best, most wicked sense of humor. I think it’s just that. I’m totally and completely entertained by her. I don’t know that we’re trying to keep it fresh. I just think it is. We love each other. When you have that part, the rest of it is easy.

Any interviews that were most memorable?

The day we made Judi Dench laugh was pretty good. We love Ricky Gervais, we’re laughing all the time when he’s on and Carol Burnett makes us laugh all day long.

Is there something you do every day to feel healthy?

I was watching one of those Ted talks and they tell you there are five things happy people do every day: Pray or meditate, exercise for 30 minutes, write down three things you’re grateful for, write down one amazing thing that happened the day before and do one random act of kindness. Doing this changes the way you think. Imagine if you opened your eyes and thought about three things you’re grateful for, then something amazing from the day before. All of a sudden the brain recalibrates. It helps you feel better for the rest of the day.

AMG/Parade Digital

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